By Grace Kim

The United Sorghum Checkoff Program, headquartered in Lubbock, Texas, has named Clint White its next executive director effective Oct. 1. White, the checkoff's director of communications since 2021, succeeds Norma Ritz Johnson, who retires after leading the organization since January 2021 and stays on through Jan. 12 to manage the handover.

The producer-funded board chose an internal candidate. White has spent four years running consumer marketing and producer communications, building industry partnerships and linking sorghum research to demand opportunities.

Board Chair Kim Baldwin, a sorghum farmer from McPherson, Kansas, framed the decision around accountability for farmer dollars. "Clint understands our organization and the responsibility that comes with investing farmers' checkoff dollars," Baldwin said. "He brings fresh ideas, strong relationships and the drive to turn opportunities into results. We look forward to his leadership as we work to improve the crop and expand markets for sorghum."

What does White bring to the role?

White carries more than 20 years of communications, marketing and creative leadership experience. Before the checkoff, he led creative services for Chuck E. Cheese's and held roles at The Thomas Agency and Fossil.

His checkoff work has drawn more than 15 awards for design, marketing and communications, including the Agricultural Communicators Network's Master of Communications Award. He sits on the ACN board, Farm Journal's Trust In Food advisory board and the Lubbock ISD Agri-STEM advisory board, and completed the National Association of Farm Broadcastinging leadership program and Leadership Lubbock.

What are the new director's priorities?

White will work with the producer-led board, CEO Tim Lust and staff to guide checkoff investments in three areas: crop improvement, market development and education.

He set a concrete yardstick for the job. "I appreciate the trust our board and Tim have placed in me to serve U.S. sorghum farmers," White said. "Our growers face real challenges, and our work must help them compete. I look forward to working with this team to improve yields, grow demand and create more opportunities for the farmers who invest in us."

Lust, who cited White's internal experience and his years alongside Johnson, expects a short runway. "Clint has strengthened our partnerships and helped connect the checkoff's work with the people we serve," Lust said. "He understands our team and knows how to turn strategy into action. I look forward to working with him to advance crop improvement, grow demand and deliver value to sorghum farmers."

How will the transition work?

Johnson and White will share duties over roughly three months, transferring responsibilities and maintaining program momentum through mid-January. Johnson leaves after five years that began in January 2021.

White credited her tenure directly. "Norma has given this organization strong leadership and a clear commitment to sorghum farmers," he said. "I have learned a great deal working alongside her, and I look forward to building on the progress she and our team have made."

The change in leadership takes effect Oct. 1, with White's first months defined by the joint transition period ending Jan. 12 and the board's stated targets of higher yields and expanded sorghum markets.